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Reference: Guide to Starting School Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology, April 2015
School Education System
Age
School year
Kindergarten
Department Elementary Department
Junior High
School
Department
Upper
Secondary
Education
Advanced courses
Schools for children with special needs
Kindergartens Elementary Schools
1st to 6th grade
Junior
High
Schools
1st to 3rd
grade
Specialized high schools Advanced courses
Miscellaneous schools
Specialized training school
general courses
Part-time
Correspondence
courses
High schools
1st to 3rd
grade
Specialized training school
upper secondary courses
Advanced courses
Advanced courses
specialized training
school specialized
course
Correspondence
courses
Part-time
Junior high/high schools
(Lower
school)
(Upper
school)
Universities
Correspondence
courses
Graduate schools
Advanced courses
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・Specialized training schools are categorized into three courses according to the qualifications for entry:
upper secondary courses for junior high school graduates, specialized courses for high school, university
and junior college graduates, and general courses that have no entry qualifications. Schools with upper
secondary courses are called upper specialized training schools, whereas schools with specialized courses
are called specialized schools.
・Prep schools, car maintenance schools, and international schools fall under the category of miscellaneous
schools.
[Reference] Household expenditure on education per student per year in kindergartens, elementary schools,
junior high schools and high schools
School education expenses (includes tuition fees, class room activity expenses, transportation fees, and
uniforms) school meals expenses, expenses for activities outside the school
(unit: yen)
Classification Kindergarten Elementary school Junior high school High school
Public Private Public Private Public Private Public Private
School education expenses 120,546 318,763 60,043 870,408 133,640 997,435 275,991 755,101
School meals 20,418 29,924 44,441 44,807 43,730 8,566 ・・・ ・・・
Activities outside the school 92,983 133,705 217,826 613,022 301,184 320,932 174,871 285,067
Total 233,947 482,392 322,310 1, 528,237 478,554 1, 326,933 450,862 1,040,168
Source: EDUCATIONAL EXPENDITURE PER CHILD, PUPIL OR STUDENT (F.Y.2016)
(Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology)
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1 Education System
Japan ratified the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1994. This agreement recognizes the
rights of the child to education. In Japan, primary education is not compulsory for children of foreign
nationality, but every child has the right to receive education.
1-1 Japanese education system
(1) 6.3.3.4 system
The Japanese education system consists overall of six years of elementary school, three years of junior high
school, three years of high school and four years of university (or two years of junior college)
(2) Compulsory education
Among the 6.3.3.4 years of education, every child must enter and graduate from an elementary school and
a junior high school, as this is compulsory education. Compulsory education is an obligation for Japanese
citizens. However, children of age six to 15 with foreign citizenship may enter or transfer to local elementary
schools or junior high schools with same expenses as Japanese citizens, regardless of their nationality.
Looking ahead to your child’s future, it is highly desirable for your child to be entered/ transferred into a
school. Please consult the municipal administrative office in the area where you reside.
(3) Others
Most students in Japan go on to study at high schools/universities. To be admitted into a high school or a
university, applicants must take an entrance examination.
There are kindergartens for children under school age. There are also specialized training schools and
miscellaneous schools basically for junior high school and high school graduates which teach them the skills
and knowledge necessary for a vocation. For children with disabilities there are also schools that provide
special needs education.
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1-2 Japanese schools
(1) National/public schools and private schools
Schools are categorized into three types according to the management jurisdiction. National schools are run
by the national government, public schools are run by local municipalities, and private schools are run by
incorporated educational institutions.
Entry into public elementary schools and junior high schools as a general principle is determined according
to the school district that students live in, and an entrance exam is not required, whereas students who wish
to enter a private school must pass an entrance exam.
(2) School year, terms, and vacations
A school year in Japan begins in April and ends in the following March.
In most schools there are three terms in a school year.
The first term is from April to July, the second term is from September to December and the third term is
from January to March. Each term is followed by a vacation: around 40 days of summer vacation, and two
weeks of winter vacation and spring vacation respectively.
* In some schools, a school year may consist of two terms. In such cases, the first term is from April to
September and the second term is from October to March. Apart from summer vacation, winter vacation and
spring vacation, four to six days of autumn vacation are given between the two terms.
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Three-term
cycle
Two-term
cycle
Spring
vacation
Summer
vacation
Autumn
vacation
Winter
vacation
Spring
vacation
Spring vacation Summer vacation Winter
vacation
Spring
vacation
First term Second term Third term
First term Second term
April Mar. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb.
Example of terms and vacations in a school year
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2 Pre-school education
Pre-school education for children under school age is provided at kindergartens.
2-1 Kindergarten
A kindergarten is an educational institute for children above age three to children until they enter elementary
school. There are national, public and private kindergartens run by the national government, local
governments, and incorporated educational institutions respectively. Depending on the regions, subsidies
may be provided to children who go to private kindergartens.
* There are also facilities known as nursery kindergarten (houikusho, hoikuen) where infants and young
children who would otherwise lack children are consigned by their parents/guardians to be taken care of. For
details, please refer to section 5-1 Certified nursery schools on chapter H Childbirth/childcare.
Public kindergartens Private kindergartens
Open to Four- to five-year-olds within the residential district (in some
municipalities, three-year-olds are also accepted) Children of age three to five.
Open hours 9:00-14:00; closed on weekends and during national holidays and
long vacations. Differ for each kindergartens
Application period Around Oct. to early Nov. each year Around Oct. to early Nov. each
year
Where to apply Respective kindergartens Respective kindergartens
Fees Entrance fees (at time of entry) and day-care fees
Some kindergartens charge extra
fees for facilities or ask for
donations in addition to entrance
fees and day-care fees.
Interviews or examinations prior to
entrance will require examination
fees.
School district Your local municipality No particular limitation
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Public kindergartens Private kindergartens
Other
Pick-up and drop off by parents/guardians and preparation of
lunch are required in most public kindergartens. Expenses differ
for each municipality. For details, please enquire at the
educational affairs section of the Board of Education of the
municipality where you reside for details.
Some municipalities provide
subsidies, such as assistance with
entrance fees, subsidies for
day-care fees, and subsidies to
assist with attending kindergarten.
Private kindergartens are each
managed under various education
principles, so it is important to
enquire at the respective
kindergarten for details.
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2 Pre-school education
2-2 Accredited daycare-kindergartens
Accredited daycare-kindergartens combine the functions of kindergartens and nursery schools. A child may
receive a combination of pre-school education and day-care whether or not a child’s parents/guardians work
during the daytime. Parents/guardians may also receive various services including consultation services
regarding the raising of children.
There are four types of accredited daycare-kindergarten: cooperation type, kindergarten type, day-care type,
and unaccredited type. You are advised to check carefully as the facilities and administrative methods vary
for each type.
To use accredited daycare-kindergartens, you need to obtain a certificate.
If you wish to make use of it, consult the Department of Health and Social Welfare of your municipality for
further information.
•How to apply: For Type 1 Certification, contact the respective accredited daycare-kindergarten. For
Type 2 or Type 3 Certification, contact the section in charge at your municipal administrative office.
•Fees: Set by each accredited daycare-kindergarten. Day-care fees are set according to the
circumstances of the parents/guardians such as income.
•Financial assistance: subsidies to assist with attending kindergarten are available.
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3 Elementary school and junior high school
Six years of elementary school education and three years of junior high school education are compulsory in
Japan. School life will involve Japanese customs, events and rules. Please respect them and encourage
your child to enjoy his or her school life without stress.
3-1 School age
School age means the age at which a child can enter a school: age six to enter an elementary school and
age twelve to enter a junior high school.
In Japan, students belong to each grade according to their age. Those of foreign nationality are likely to be
transferred into a grade according to their age.
3-2 School expenses
National/public schools Entrance fees, tuition fees and textbooks are provided at no cost for elementary and junior high
students. However, teaching materials other than textbooks, school supplies, lunch, excursions
and uniforms must be prepared at your own expense.
Private schools Entrance fees and tuition fees must also be paid at your own expense.
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3 Elementary school and junior high school
3-3 Entrance procedures
If you wish to enter your child into a public elementary school/junior high school, you are advised to visit your
municipal administrative office or the Board of Education and convey your intention to enter the child into a
school in Japan. There you will be given an application form; fill in the essentials and submit it to the
municipal administrative office. When applying, the Residence Card or special permanent resident
certificate of the student and their parents/guardians must be presented. The application is open throughout
the year. If you wish to enter your child into an international school or national/private elementary school or
junior high school, please apply directly to each school.
* To those who are registered on the residence record register (juminhyo), a school entrance guide will be
sent to parents/guardians of children expected to enter school in the coming school year. This guide will
include the school to enter and dates for health checks to be taken prior to entering school.
* There may be cases where the parents/guardians fail to receive such a school entrance guide. Please
consult your municipal administrative office or the Board of Education at an early stage before your child
reaches six.
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① Settle in an address.
② Register your address (acquire a resident record (juminhyo)).
③ Receive a Residence Card or special permanent resident certificate.
④ A notice regarding school entrance will be sent to you
(in around September, for school entrance in April of the follow year.
⑤ Submit an application form to your local municipal administrative office
(a few days later, the school entry permit will be sent to you).
⑥ Visit the designated school for entrance procedures.
School entry procedures
or
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3 Elementary school and junior high school
3-4 Procedures for transfer (after entrance)
If you wish to transfer your child to a public elementary school or junior high school, visit your municipal
administrative office and carry out the procedures for transfer. The child will then transfer to the designated
school on the designated day. As a general principle, the child will transfer to a grade according to his or her
age. However, it is also possible for the child to temporarily study in a lower grade due to circumstances
such as lack of Japanese ability. If you are concerned about this, please consult the Board of Education in
your municipal administrative office or the teachers in the respective school.
If you wish your child to enter an international school or national/private school, please enquire directly at
the respective school.
3-5 School life (if your child does not yet speak fluent Japanese)
Classes will be taught in Japanese. Thus, many elementary schools and junior high schools will have a
Japanese education program for Japanese learners. Consult the teachers if you are concerned about your
child’s language abilities; they will help the child to learn Japanese and give advice that will help him or her
quickly become accustomed to daily life using Japanese.
3-6 School life (events)
Various school events are held throughout the year. You will be given advance notice from the school.
Participation to these events will help you get along with your life in Japan. The following are some
examples of commonly held events.
•Sports festivals
Sports festivals are events dedicated to enjoying sports. They are held on weekends most commonly
in spring or autumn. Families go to cheer on their child.
•Field trips
Field trips are day trips led by teachers to nearby locations.
•Senior year excursions
The whole grade will go on an excursion for few nights, most likely in their senior year.
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3 Elementary school and junior high school
3-7 PTAs
Each school will have an educational board by the parents and teachers known as the PTAs
(Parent-Teacher Associations).
This is an organization which carries out activities where parents and teachers work together for the benefit
of their children.
3-8 Children’s Club (gakudo clubs)
Children’s clubs are for children (up to 3rd grade) without parents to look after them during the daytime.
They provide a place for children to be after school hours and aim to foster physically and mentally health
children through suitable play. For details, refer to section 5-2 Children’s clubs (gakudo clubs) on chapter H
Childbirth/childcare.
3-9 After graduation from junior high school
There are several options for junior high school graduates to continue their studies. They may continue their
studies at high schools or specialized high schools, or go onto at specialized training schools, miscellaneous
schools, or vocational training schools. They may also choose to work as they study under a part-time
system or on a correspondence courses.
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4 High school
Upper secondary schools are generally called “high schools” (as they will be referred to hereafter). Over
90% of Japanese students go on to study at a high school. Just as in the case of elementary schools and
junior high schools, there are national schools run by the national government, public schools run by
prefectures/municipalities, and private schools run by incorporated educational institutions. Which public
high schools you can apply to is limited according to the district in which you reside.
Note that entrance fees, tuition fees and textbooks must be prepared at your own expense, as high school
education is not compulsory.
4-1 To enter
You must pass the entering examination to enter a high school. Some high schools have a system of
recommendation, whereby students may enter by passing an interview if they have shown outstanding
academic achievements or unique talents. Other schools may also have a special quota for foreign students.
Contact the school you wish to enter for information.
4-2 Eligibility
You must either be predicted to graduate a Japanese junior high school or be certified as having the
academic abilities equivalent to graduating junior high school in order to take the entrance exam. Those who
have graduated from high schools overseas must have proof of this.
4-3 Examinations recognized as equivalent to junior high school graduation
(chugakko sotsugyo teido nintei shaken)
This is an examination held by the national government to certify that a person has the academic abilities
equivalent to those who have graduated from junior high school. It qualifies those who pass it to take high
school entrance examinations. Those of foreign nationality may also take the exam if they are over the age
of 15 by the 31 May each year.
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4 High school
4-4 Types of high school
Consult your junior high school teachers and the wishes of the student themselves to decide which school
and courses he or she should take up.
(1) Courses
These are divided into general courses, specialized training courses (technical, business, agricultural, etc.)
and composite courses.
(2) Schedules
Courses are divided into full-time, part-time and correspondence courses by the hours of classes being
held.
Full-time courses Study during the day. Takes three years to graduate
Part-time courses Study part-time at nights (or day) while working.
Takes more than three years to graduate.
Correspondence courses Study at home. (Screenings are held about twice a month.)
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5 Other schools
Apart from high schools, there are specialized high schools where students can receive education to
become technical specialists, specialized training schools where they can receive practical vocational
education and specialized technical education, and miscellaneous schools where they can learn Japanese
dressmaking, bookkeeping, calculation on the abacus, car maintenance, cooking and nutrition, hair dressing,
beauty care, computer skills, English conversation, manufacturing, and many others.
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6 University/junior college
University and junior college are for high school graduates and those of equivalent academic abilities.
6-1 University/junior college
(1) What is university/junior college?
There are national universities run by the national government, public universities run by
prefectures/municipalities, and private schools run by incorporated educational institutions. In some regions,
private corporations have established universities.
Junior colleges are usually called "tandai."
It takes four years to graduate a university and two years to graduate a junior college.
(2) To enter
You must take an entrance exam to enter a university or a junior college, but there are also many
universities/colleges with a system of recommendation. Please check with respective institutions, as study
expenses and eligibility for entry differ for each university/college.
(3) Eligibility
Basically, applicants must fulfill one of the following conditions in order to take the entrance examination.
• He or she must be a graduate of a high school in Japan or overseas.
• He or she must have passed the examinations recognized as equivalent to junior high school graduation
(chugakko sotsugyo teido nintei shaken)
• He or she must possess the International Baccalaureate diploma or an equivalent certification, and be over
18 years old on 1 April of the year of entry.
(4) Entrance examinations
Students willing to enter a national/public university must take the National Center Test for University
Admissions, which is the first stage of examinations; this is then followed by the second-stage of
examinations which is held at respective universities. As for the private universities, the dates and subjects
of examination vary for each university.
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6 University/junior college
6-2 Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students
(EJU)
The Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) is used to evaluate
whether international students who wish to study universities or other such higher educational institutions in
Japan possess the Japanese language skills and the basic academic abilities needed to study at those
institutions.
Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) official website will help you find out which Japanese
universities consider EJU scores in their admission process for international students. For details, contact
JASSO.
Subjects Date of Exam
Language options Inquiries
Japanese as a foreign
language, science
(physics, chemistry, and
biology) or Japan and
the World (liberal arts),
and mathematics.
Examinees may select
the subjects depending
on the university they
wish to enter and the
course of study they wish
to pursue.
Twice a year
in June and
November.
The EJU is available in Japanese or English,
except for the Japanese as a Foreign
Language test, which is given in Japanese
only; applicants need to indicate their
preference in the application based on the
requirements of the university they wish to
enter and the course of study they wish to
pursue.
Japan Student Services Organization
http://www.jasso.go.jp/eju/index.html
E-mail: eju@jasso.go.jp
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7 International schools
There are international schools in Japan where you will be taught in English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese,
and other foreign languages.
Many international schools are treated as "miscellaneous schools" according to School Education Act in
Japan, and graduates from these schools may not be eligible to take the examinations for some Japanese
universities.
However, there are international schools where students will receive qualifications allowing them to enter a
Japanese university or a graduate school. Please confirm with respective international schools.
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8 Assistance
There are systems which provide school expenses assistance and scholarships for students from
households which have difficulty putting their children through school for economic reasons.
(1) Assistance with school expenses
● Assistance with school expenses for elementary / junior high school students
There are school expense assistance systems which provide assistance with expenses necessary for
putting a child through school, to parents/guardians who have difficulty putting their children through
elementary school and junior high school. Consult your school or the Board of Education if you are having
difficulty paying for necessary school supplies, transportation expenses or fees for extra curricular activities,
senior grade excursions, and lunches. However, receipt of this assistance is restricted to certain income
levels.
Some local governments also offer subsidies to parents/guardians of foreign nationality whose children are
attending an international school. For details, please contact the municipal administrative office where you
live.
● Assistance with school expenses for high school students / the High School Tuition Support Fund system
You can receive the High School Tuition Support Fund from the state to pay towards tuition fees regardless
of national/public or private schools (means-tested). If your child attends private high school, the additional
fund will be paid, according to your income. You do not need to pay it back. An application form can be
obtained at school.
- The High School Supplemental Scholarship Fund
This system provides grants for households with low income apart from tuition fees (expenses for textbooks,
teaching materials, school supplies, etc.). You do not need to pay it back. To apply, you need to contact the
prefecture where you reside. The details of the system may vary, depending on your place of residence;
therefore, please contact your prefecture for details.
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8 Assistance
(2) Scholarships
● Scholarships for high school students
There is a system whereby prefectural scholarships are awarded to high school students and students of
upper secondary courses of specialized training schools who are highly motivated to learn but who may not
afford their education expenses. The conditions for receiving scholarships and the amount that can be
received will differ for each municipality. For details, please inquire at your school.
● Scholarships for junior college, specialized training school and university students
Scholarships by JASSO are for junior college, specialized training school and university students. The
amounts that can be received depends on the circumstances of each student. There are two kinds of
scholarships: interest-free, and those which charge interest. For details, contact the scholarship office at
your school for further information.
● Scholarships for international students
Scholarships for international students are offered by the Japanese government (Ministry of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science and Technology), JASSO, local governments and international exchange
associations, etc. A list of scholarships may be found in the Scholarships for International Students in Japan
issued annually by JASSO.
http://www.jasso.go.jp/ryugaku/study_j/scholarships/brochure.html
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●Scholarships
Eligibility Scholarship Inquiries
High school students Scholarships by prefectural/municipal
governments Your high school
Junior college, specialized training school, and undergraduate students Scholarships from JASSO
Scholarship office
at your school
International students
Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho: MEXT)
scholarships
Ministry of Foreign
Affairs (diplomatic
establishments
abroad) or
Japanese
universities
Scholarships from JASSO
Monbukagakusho (MEXT) honors scholarship for
privately-financed international students
Your school in
Japan (universities
or Japanese
language
institutes)
Student exchange support system (scholarship
for short-term study in Japan)
Japanese
universities
Scholarships by local governments and
international associations
Local government,
schools
Scholarships by private sector bodies Each body
Reference: Scholarships for International Students in Japan, Japan Student Services Organization.